The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-12-15

the tow-path in company with some man
who was threatening him with violence
The only question was whether that mar
was the prisoner, in whose company the
deceased was proved to have been up Il
half an hour previously. or somebody else
whom no attempt to identify had beer
made, and who had no conceivable motive
for the crime. The jury naturally preferred
the former alternative, and returned a yer
dict of Guilty"
Mr.. and Mrs Waff:es were much pleased
with their ledger, Mr.. Bib, though they fell
rather sorry for the old gentleman, too. Ii
was very sad to see him sitting in his room
all day looking at the pictures Or gazing
out of the window with that blank express
sion on his face. But on the other hand,
young Mr. Bib paid Mrs. Waf1es an extra
half guinea per week for keeping an eye on
the old gentleman, and had also paid sew
eral weeks rent in advance, which is by no
means the usual practice Of dodgers IN the
neighborhood of Remington Park, where
Mr.. and Mrs. Waff1es resided. Moreover,
so far from requiring extra attention, Mr.,
Bib gave no trouble at all, but did whatever
he was told to do, and would never even
have asked for his meals if they had not
been forthcoming. That was why Mr.. and
Mrs. Wafies were so pleased with their
ledger.
1t therefore gave Mrs. Waff1es, as she
subsequently stated, ''quite turn when
Mr.. Bib came downstairs one morning with
his hat and overcoat on, and evinced the
strongest intention of going out for walk.
Young Mr. Bib had given strict instruc-
tions that his father was on no account to
leave the house, as, besides being unable
to find his way back, he was liable to be-
come dangerously excited by the noise and
hustle Of the streets. On the two or three
occasions when he had called to see his
father young Mr.. Bib had always repeated
these instructions. IL was, in fact, his in
tention to take his father away to quiet
residence in the country as soon as he had
concluded certain business which he had
on hand.
Mrs. Waf1es accordingly placed herself
before the door and explained to Mr.. Bib
that he could not leave the pl emises at
| present.
| "Please-please," stammered the old gen.
tlemau, in what was for him rather an ex-
cited tone, "can't wait-my son Alfred
look" He drew newspaper from his
pocket and pointed TO something in it. On
the pretense of looking at it Mrs. Waf1es
|
that it was morning paper which he had
somehow got hold of, and that he was
pointing to the report of the first days pro-
ceediugs in the trial of the Rev. Alfred
! Stuckey at the Old Bailey. As she read
the passage over to humor him the old man
kept on repeating: my son Alfred-murder
mea-no, 1io-ncs Alfred. Mustn't hang
Alfredr
Now in the parlor sat Mrs. Wafles' hus-
band taking his breakfast, for he was a
compositor in the office of daily paper,
and late riser. Mr.. Bib's utterances made
deep impression on Mr.. Waf1es. He was
man of considerable intelligence, and
moreover, knew all the facts in the Stuckey
case by heart, having been engaged on the
previous day in setting up in type report
Of the trial.
"He's got some delusion in his head about
this trial." said Mrs. Wafles.
Not so sure about that" replied her hus-
band. HE never had one before, Ask
him what he wants to do"
Mrs. Wafles did so. Mr.. Bib smiled
feebly and said: ''Going to see Alfred
mustn't hang my son Alfred"
"What is your name, sirl" asked Mr..
Waffies, in loud tone.
'Stuckey. Martin Stuckey," was the
prompt response.
Precious rum delusionr' observed Mr..
Waff1es. '.Look here, MIR. Stuckey, how
did you come herel"
The old man passed his hand across his
forehead and looked helplessly around him.
my son, Alfred" he said; then he paused
and shook his head. Presently he went
on in rambling fashion: went out with
Alfred-EphraIm changed my clothes
close by the river-Ephraim pushed me
into a train-No, moi Mustn't harg AL
fred" t.-
There's something in this" said Mr..
Waffies, decisively. He couldn't have got
all this out of a newspaper. How do we
know that this old boy isn't Martin Stuckey,
as he says. He was brought here on the
very night Martin Stuckey disappeared.
He had nothing about him to show his
name, you remember. Young Bib brought
him new linen and told him to mark it.
Martin Stuckey was weak in the head; so
is he. The name of Martin Stuckey's
second son is Ephraim, and doesn't he call
young Bib Ephraima Put on your things,
Sally, and come round with me to the
police. They will have description Of old
Stuckey, and will very soon tell US what to
do. Look sharp! They may be sentencing
that poor devil to death this minute"
1t was a more than usually painful mo-
ment when the jury gave their verdict
Close under the dock sat the white-haired
rector of Alfred Stuckey's parish, who had
stood by his curate with touching faith, and
whose daughter was reported to be en-
gagged to the prisoner. He rose as the YER
dict was given as though to comfort the
unhappy man in the box. just beside him
was Ephraim Stuckey, who had been one
of the principal witnesses against his
brother. His position and the emotion he
displayed while giving his evidence ex-
cited much commiseration. He had grown
deadly pale when the jury returned, and
when the verdict was given he bnried his
face in his hands.
The Judge, in the usual form, asked the
prisoner whether he had any thing to say.
At that moment there was some stir and
confusion in the well OF the court, two or
three persons, escorted by policeman,
pushing their way toward the solicitor for
the defense. The prisoner saw them, and
great change came over his face.
"Only this, my lord" he said, pointing to
where Mr.. Bib stood between Mr.. and Mrs.
Wafiles, '.that there stands Martin Stuck
ey, my father, whom l am accused of
murdering.'
At the next session Of the Central Grim
inal Court, another member of the Stuck.
ey family stood in the dock. 1t was
Ephraim this time, and he was indicted for
perjury and for attempting to obtain money
from the Monument Assurance Company
by false pretences. He was found guilty
on both indictments and sentenced to seven
years penal servitude for the first offence
and five for the second, the judge observ-